With the elevated production capabilities and repeatable results of the ProX 500 and ProX 500 Plus, service bureaus and large manufacturing operations—in industries like aerospace, automotive, electronics, customized medical devices, consumer products and rapid tooling—can rethink entire production and supply chain strategies for advanced product performance and lower total manufacturing costs. In addition to high material recyclability, the ProX 500 Plus allows for greater flexibility, so companies can explore localized manufacturing for step-change ability to exploit evolving marketplace opportunities and gain first-mover advantage.

A key element of the ProX 500 Plus’s industry-leading engineering capabilities is the addition of three exclusive high-performance materials to the DuraForm® ProX line for use in the ProX 500 Plus:

DuraForm ProX GF is a glass-filled polyamide (Nylon) material formulated for maximum stiffness and elevated temperature resistance. For parts that will undergo thermal stress or those that require high rigidity—like aircraft and automotive parts, complex housings and enclosures—DuraForm ProX GF will be the go-to material.

DuraForm ProX AF+ material is an aluminum-filled polyamide (Nylon) with a gray appearance, high strength-to-weight ratio, elevated thermal resistance and improved machinability. This material is perfect for manifolds and similar under-hood automotive models in addition to jigs and fixtures—any end-use or working prototypes with a cast aluminum aesthetic for engine and other equipment components requiring high force loading.

DuraForm ProX EX is a high impact strength nylon material with increased durability and remarkable flexibility. DuraForm ProX EX will be ideal for applications with high-force snap-fit designs, thin-walled parts and other fine-featured models needing nearly indestructible toughness and durability.

“Simply put, the ProX 500 Plus delivers the highest quality end parts with a combination of speed, precision, economy and robust material choices to a level that no one has seen before,” said Buddy Byrum, Vice President, Product and Channel Management, 3DS. “This 3D printer provides the most long-lasting parts for the most challenging operating environments.”

The ProX 500 Plus’ new high-resolution mode prints part features down to as small as .45mm and boasts higher part density, tensile strength and modulus stiffness. In terms of print speed, the ProX 500 Plus offers 30% faster printing in high-speed mode.

For over 20 years, 3DS has set the standard for SLS 3D printing, proving its parts in prototyping, rapid tooling, end-use and functional testing applications in demanding applications around the world. Today its SLS printers set the industry’s benchmark for production-grade manufacturing in aerospace, automotive, electronics, medical devices, fashion, consumer products and more.

3DS is exhibiting the ProX 500 Plus and revealing its new materials portfolio at EuroMold 2014 in Frankfurt, Germany from November 25-28, 2014, at the Messe Frankfurt in booths D69 and F90 in hall 11, along with its latest 3D printers, advanced material options, cloud-sourced custom parts and digital thread of 3D capture, creation, print and inspection tools. Expected availability for the ProX 500 Plus is early 2015, and an upgrade kit will be available for existing ProX 500 customers at time of launch. Watch a video of this new production SLS printer here.

3D Systems is pioneering 3D printing for everyone. 3DS provides the most advanced and comprehensive 3D design-to-manufacturing solutions including 3D printers, print materials and cloud sourced custom parts. Its powerful digital thread empowers professionals and consumers everywhere to bring their ideas to life in material choices including plastics, metals, ceramics and edibles. 3DS' leading healthcare solutions include end-to-end simulation, training and integrated 3D planning and printing for personalized surgery and patient specific medical and dental devices. Its democratized 3D design and inspection products embody the latest perceptual, capture and touch technology. Its products and services replace and complement traditional methods with improved results and reduced time to outcomes. These solutions are used to rapidly design, create, communicate, plan, guide, prototype or produce functional parts, devices and assemblies, empowering customers to manufacture the future.

Leadership Through Innovation and Technology

•3DS invented 3D printing with its Stereolithography (SLA) printer and was the first to commercialize it in 1989.

•3DS invented Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) printing and was the first to commercialize it in 1992.

•3DS invented the ColorJet Printing (CJP) class of 3D printers and was the first to commercialize 3D powder-based systems in 1994.

•3DS invented MultiJet Printing (MJP) printers and was the first to commercialize it in 1996.

•3DS Medical Modeling pioneered virtual surgical planning (VSP) and its services are world-leading, helping many thousands of patients on an annual basis.

Today its comprehensive range of 3D printers is the industry’s benchmark for production-grade manufacturing in aerospace, automotive, patient specific medical device and a variety of consumer, electronic and fashion accessories.